I think I read this years ago before time travel fics were established as my absolute favorite trope. It definitely holds up against all the others I have read. I love that it was Spike who was sent back because it allowed him to focus solely on fixing things for Buffy where anyone else, including Buffy, would have split their focus. I am also glad that, whether he meant to or not, he neatly solved not just the Angelus issue but the entire Angel issue. There is no other character who has as much influence on the person Buffy became than Angel, soul or no soul. The things he said and did stuck with her long after he left Sunnydale and changed both her relationship with those around her as well as slaying. I love that Buffy initiated claim right in front of Angel as if she was making a statement and then he completely ceased to matter. It was a great ending for the fic and for Spike.

Never get tired of reading these wonderful Spuffy stories - I've been a fan of your works for many years now.  Hope all is well with you.

Perfect! It's truly stunning to realize the effect that short dalliance with poofter Angel had on her, how it essentially destroyed her. Took her faith/trust, joy, innocence... everything, and became a pattern for how she lived life.... scared and frozen solid never letting anyone in, a slave to others opinions. Tsk

a sweet tale...  I want to feel sorry for Angel, but for some reason, I can't.

Blue

great ending line - "loving me.  That's your way."  I like how you write the Spuffy relationship. 

The one thing that I do have a contrasting perspective on is the idea of Angel not understanding how much of a real problem they "no full sexual experience" would be in their future.  While young Buffy would think that it would not be a problem, with as much as we have been shown in the series that Buffy is indeed very much a woman who enjoys her sexual life, I think that in a realistic treatment of her relationship with Angel, the inability to have a full and sexually satisfying life would ultimately effect her life and would bring both of them sorrow and emotional stress. 

Love your Story :)

AWESOME! Only word I can think of. This is really great, well written, captivating, and just romantic enough to be sweet.

Excellent! One of the best ones that I've read.

that was brilliant!

Another great story.
You don't normally see the Spike goes back in time idea (it always seems to be Buffy...but then again, she has the most  stuff she should be ashamed of and do over), and you pulled it off really well.
Spike was really great; he just didn't go in and try to suduce her, but gave it straight and let her decide (which, she obviosuly made the right decision).
And I'm with you; The PTB didn't think things through when they sent Angel to her in the first place. I mean, with that particular clause on the curse, that would just lead to too much trouble. And it just left her kinda screwed up for the rest of the series.
I'm also glad you made sure that Dru still had someone; I read another Spike goes back in time story somehwere else where he goes back in his body and dumps a sick Dru somewhere. I'm sorry, I can never see that happening, even if he was in love with Buffy. He just doesn't do abandonment, especially since Dru would have been sick at said point. So it's awesome the way you took care of that.
Overall, another good story.

Hi,
I just wanted to tell you that I've just finished reading this story and it's THE BEST!
Both Buffy and Spike (and all other characters too, actually) are perfectly in character, you make the things between them happen so naturally that it looks perfectly realistic.
The plot is great, it's dramatic and it's hot and sweet. I'm amazed.
Thank you so much for writing such a masterpiece!

wow!  i'm a HUGE fan of this "claim" thingy :)...loved the ending!

Mannnnn......I'm hooked! :D Your stories are so wonderful and SOOO satisfying!  I love that both Buffy and Spike seemed to be in THE right place at the right time in this story!! It felt fated. Like it was meant to be.........had already been etched in stone! I LOVED IT!!! ~ Kelly

fun read, thank you. love the claiming being done in front of angel.

Ahh!   How sweet.

sooo good.

I've alway's loved a good 'what if/do over/AR/whatever?' that has Buffy choosing Spike instead of Angel. And this was a really good one!!!  Thank You for writting it!!!  :D

A gorgeous story.  Buffy's revelation and Spike's wonderment were all the sweeter for being in front of Angel.

Wonderful ending.  I felf so bad for Spike and his self-doubt (which he has plenty of reason for), and it was so great to see him find a happy ending. 

Well - that was a wonderful and sweet little story.  I'd love to see some sequels of this - perhaps make it its own 'verse... 

Nice - NICE job!!

*sigh*  Thank you for the happy Spuffy ending; sooo glad that Buffy finally declared herself; poor Spike; he was so heartsore by the end of it!!!  Love it, love it, love it!!!  Amazing story; can't wait to see more of your work!